Once you have selected Houston Thyroid and Endocrine Specialists to manage your endocrine condition, you will have the support of our friendly staff. Our top priority is to educate our patients in a warm, welcoming environment. Make your visit as informative as possible by following these directions

Our physicians work very hard to run on-time, please help us keep it that way.  Arrive in the office waiting room 20-30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time to complete the lengthy New Patient Packet. We prefer that you complete the packet ahead of your visit so that you may arrive more leisurely 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.  Patients who have not arrived or completed the packet by the scheduled appointment time will rescheduled in consideration of patents that arrive prepared.  

Fill out the New Patient Packet: It can conveniently be typed online, printed, then securely faxed to 713.795.0855. The PDF editor will not save your information so you must print at the time you complete it. Emailed copies are not HIPPA compliant. 

Review our Notice of Privacy Practices and the No-Show Policy.  Please confirm your appointment; we will call you at least 2-3 days ahead to confirm and leave a message if you do not answer. If a patient misses a confirmed appointment and/or cancels with less than 24 hours notice they will be charged a $50.00 fee at the following visit. 

What to expect on your first visit

Print Directions to the 4 nearest parking locations so that you arrive in the office on time. 

Parking will take time and parking in our building is the least convenient. Do not rely on your GPS device. Generally we recommend parking at 6620 Main Street and walking over. Once you have reached the medical center, the process of parking and walking to our clinic may take up to 30 minutes. Please plan accordingly. 

Bring these items with you to your first visit and preferably fax them to us prior to your visit:

All patients: All current medications, a copy of your most recent blood work and relevant testing, a current insurance card, and name/address/phone number for your preferred local and mail-order pharmacy. If you have health insurance, these are the insurances accepted. It is your responsibility to confirm that you insurance is accepted. If you are referred by another doctor please make sure that physician has sent us their records about you so we understand what questions need to be answered.

Hyperthyroidism or Hypothyroidism: any previous thyroid scan and uptake, last two most recent thyroid blood testing, your thyroid pill bottles, and any thyroid ultrasound report.

Thyroid Nodules: Previous thyroid ultrasound report if available, any thyroid blood testing (TSH) within the last 90 days

Known Thyroid Cancer: Thyroid FNA biopsy cytopathology report, final surgical pathology reports, the surgery operative report, all radioactive iodine treatment reports, whole body scan reports, all thyroglobulin blood test results, any thyroid ultrasound reports. 

Pituitary Diseases: The most recent MRI-pituitary reports and the one from prior to any pituitary surgery, any pituitary labs and ACTH stimulation testing, surgical operative reports, final surgical pathology reports, radiation therapy notes, visual field examination notes from your ophthalmologist, and any endocrinologists' notes. 

Adrenal Disease: The most recent imaging tests on the adrenal glands (CT or MRI) and any adrenal and kidney blood testing. 

Diabetes Mellitus: If taking insulin  you must bring your glucometer for download. Any recent hemoglobinA1c and kidney testing. Written blood glucose values are not acceptable.

If needed, complete a Release of Information Form and fax to your other physicians.

 If you think your old records will be important in our decisions, then the only way to guarantee we receive your records in a timely manner is if you physically obtain them from your other physician yourself and bring to your clinic visit with us.  If a fax request is sent then we usually do not receive this information from your other physician for at least 4-6 weeks.

 

Learn about your condition in our endocrinology explained section. Come prepared to ask questions of your endocrinologist so that you fully understand your endocrine condition.